Spray gun



29, 1938. w, SMART 2,112,546

SPRAY GUN v Filed 001;. 4, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l I BY f ' ATi'ORNEY March 29, 1938.

A. w. SMART SPRAY GUN Filed Oct. 4, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a w l M w M MI/ Ml Fzy' 13 INVENTOR. 5

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPRAY GUN tion of New York Application Dotober 4, 1928, Serial No. 310,417

17 Claims.

My invention relates to spray guns and more particularly to a gun adapted to project a jet or spray of material therefrom and may or may not include an arrangement for projecting a jet of air therefrom independently of or conjointly with the material jet.

In the embodiment of my invention shown and described hereinafter the gun is especially adapted to be used in the art of painting.

In the process of painting by the spray method, the gun or tool is connected to a tank of liquid, usually under pressure, and also to a source of air under pressure. The liquid is ejected under the control of a trigger that is actuated by an operator.

In painting various sizes of surfaces it becomes desirable to alternate between a narrow or round jet and a wide or flat jet. H'eretofore, in guns of the type referred to and in order to accomplish the results desired, the mechanism has been cumbersome, expensive and requires a variety of adjustments that necessitated stopping the operation of the gun.

Furthermore, where an article was to be painted in two or more colors it has been necessary for the operator to have two or more complete guns and attachments, a separate one for each color.

It is one object of my invention to provide a gun of the type referred to wherein the change from a narrow jet or spray to a wide jet or spray and vice versa is made automatically at the election of the operator.

It is another object of my invention to provide a spray gun having a fluid valve that is detachably connected to the body of the gun.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a system wherein tanks of various colors may be equipped with liquid valves that may be. interchangeably connected into my improved holder or gun.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a spray gun in which an operator by actuation of the trigger can obtain selectively a jet of air without liquid, a narrow jet of atomized liquid, and a wide jet of atomized liquid.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a spray gun of the character described having relatively few parts in contact with the liquid and each of these parts being removable for ready cleaning thereof.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a spray gun having an air valve and a fluid valve, each of the removable cartridge type.

It is a still further object of my invention toprovide a holder wherein the fluid and air valves are in axial alignment.

It is a, still further object of my invention to provide means for simultaneously adjusting the fluid and air valves so as to regulate the quan- 5 tity of liquid fed to the sprays or jets.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide an arrangement for securing a wide spray in which a drop in pressure occurs at the outletfor the atomizing air streams so as to prevent 10 the creation of a vortex that would permit accumulations of paint near or about the spray openings.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a gun that is well balanced when con- 15 nccted for use.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a spray gun comprising a holder from which all other parts are readily detachable to facilitate repairs and replacements.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a spray gun wherein the change over from a narrow or round jet to a wide or fan jet is accomplished by operation of a two-way air valve. 25

My invention will be best understood by reference to the following specification and the accompanying drawings wherein- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved gun;

Fig. 2 is a series of tanks equipped with my improved fluid valve and illustrating my improved method and system of operation;

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are vertical, central sections of my improved gun illustrating the respective positions of the operating trigger, valves, etc., 35 for securing the various jets desired, parts of the gun being broken away to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 6 is a detail longitudinal section on the line CC of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a cross section of the air valve and its mounting, on the line BB of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a cross section of the air valve and its mounting, on the line A-A of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a front view of the distributor with the fluid valve in position, parts being broken away to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 10 is a detail vertical section of the distributor and retaining ring;

Fig. 11 is a rear view thereof; 0

10 "removable therefrom is an air valve 25, which is General arrangement Referring to Fig. 1, my improved holder comprises a body portion 2| and a handle portion 22, particularly shaped to accommodate the grip of the hand of an operator and provided with guiding projections or rests 23 and 24. The handle. is detachably secured to the body portion in any well known manner.

Mounted at the rear of the body portion 2| and connected, through the handle 22, to the nipple 26 that is screw threaded so as to receive the connecting junction of an air hose leading from a supply of compressed air.

Detachably mounted in the forward portion of the body 2| is a fluid valve 21 having a screw threaded nipple 28 adapted to receive the connecting junction 29 (Fig. 2) that is secured to a hose 3| which is in turn connected to a tank 32 of paint or other fluid. The fluid in the tank 32 may be under pressure which may be supplied in any well known manner. The fluid valve '21 is mounted under and practically enclosed by the hood 30, which is integral with the holder 2|, and open on its under side only.

The forward end of the gun has removably mounted thereon a spray tip or distributor 33 that is also separable from the fluid valve 21 and independent thereof.

Extending between the valves 25 and 21 is a connecting link 34 having at each end thereof knurled nuts 35 and-36. The nut 35 is not removable from the shaft 34, but the nut 36 is adjustable therealong and may be termed a regulator for the fluid valve.

Extending above the body portion 2| and secured thereto or integral therewith is a projection 31 which terminates in a ring or hook 38 by which the gun may be suspended whenever the same is not in use.

Detachably mounted upon the projection 31 are two. depending arms 39 which terminate in and may be integral with a trigger 4| which is located below the body portion 2| and convenient to the handle grip 22. The trigger 4| has an upwardly extending projection 42 which extends. into the connecting link 34 and is the operating element of the trigger for initiating and controlling the action of the gun.

All of the foregoing parts have been referred to generally in their various locations. The details of each as well as the detailed mode of operation will be described hereinafter.

At this time it is desired to direct attention to the fact that I have provided a new system of operation in a plant equipped with my spray guns. Such a plant will have a plurality of the liquid or paint tanks 32, holding paints of different colors or different materials and having the material under pressure therein, and each having a hose 3! connected thereto. Heretofore it has been necessary for such a plant to either have a complete gun attached to each hose 3| and to provide some extra valve arrangement in the hose so that the gun could be removed therefrom for cleaning and repairing, or some other more laborious arrangement was necessary.

With my improved system, each hose has detachably connected thereto, in place of the usual valve, one of my fluid valves. 21 which are adapted to be left attached to the respective hoses. When an operator desires to change from onecolor to another, or from. a stain to a varnish, etc., it is only necessary for the operator to unloosen the fluid valve 21 from the holder 2| and attach the fluid valve 21 that is ailixed to the hose of the tank of the particular color or material which he desires to next use. It is not necessary to change any other part of the gun, to continue operation, after the new fluid valve 21 has been inserted in the holder. This convenience of quickly shifting from one color to another and permitting the continued use of the same gun has not heretofore been possible.

Air valve The air valve is of the cartridge type and comprises a body portion which is externally screw threaded as indicated at 52 to cooperate with a screw threaded aperture in the rear of the body portion 2| of the holder. The body 5| is cylindrical and hollow. The forward reduced portion 53 thereof is also hollow and is adapted to constitute the support and guide for a plunger 54. The hollow rear portion forms an air chest 55. Intermediate the front and rear portions, the body 5| is tapered to cooperate with a tapered portion 56 of the aperture in the body portion 2| of the holder. It is against this tapered seat that the valve is forced when the valve is screwed into place, to thus operatively position the valve.

In its tapered portion, the body 5| is provided with two sets of ports 51 and 58 each set being joined by an annular channel and adapted to be sealed from each other when the valve is in position. Immediately to the rear of the tapered portion is an annular channel 59 having a set of ports 6| communicating therewith. The channel 59 also begins immediately in the rear of the tapered portion 56 of the holder 2|.

On the interior, the chest 55 is formed with a reduced portion having a tapered seat 62 against which seats the tapered valve 63 that is integral with the plunger 54. It will be noted that the ports 6| communicate with the chest 55 in back of the valve head 63 and. therefore are always in open communication therewith. The ports 58 communicate with the chest 55 on the side of the seat 62 that is closed by the head 63. The ports 51 are located forward of the ports 55 and are brought into communication with the chest 55 only when the plunger 54 is moved a sufiicient distance to bring the channel 64 therein into a position where it communicates with the ports 51 and also with the chest 55.

The plunger 54 is spring pressed into a closed position by the spring 66 which engages with the rear of the head '63 and also with the forward face of a closing plug 61 for the chest 55. The

interior of the chest 55 is. screw threaded as is the forward portion of the plug 61 so that the plug is removable therefrom at will for cleaning of the valve and other purposes.

The plug 61 is hollow and provided in its forward face with an aperture 68 against which a plate 69 rests to close the same. The plate 69 is spring pressed into its closed position by means of a spring 1| that engages the plate and also forward face of a screw cap 12. When cap 12 is screwed into position with the plate 69 and spring 1|, the plug '61 is a complete unit, ready for insertion in the valve body to close the same.

When the valve unit is inserted in the body portion 2| of the holder, the channels of the ports 51 and 58 respectively register with ports 13 and 14 (shown in Figs. 8 and 7) in the bodyportion 2|. The ports 13 and 14 respectively communicate with longitudinal passages 15 and 16 extending through the body of the gun for purposes to be hereinafter more fully described. It will be noted that the passages 15 and 16 are parallel with each other.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the channel of the ports 6| is in communication with a port 11 which extends downwardly into communication with the upper open end'of a pipe 18 that is screwed into the body portion 2| of the holder. At its lower end the pipe I8 communicates with the nipple 26 shown in Fig. 1. Hence communication is established through the handle between a source of compressed air and the valve chest 55. The handle could be made air tight, if desired, to thus eliminate the pipe 18.

When the valve 25 is assembled in position, the forward end thereof projects beyond the body of the holder and is adapted to receive in sliding engagement the regulating nut 36, the construction and function of which will be described hereinafter. It is suflicient to call attention to the fact that the end 42 of the trigger 4| is forward of the regulating nut 36 and that the forward end of the valve plunger 54 extends through the regulating nut 36 and into the vicinity of the trigger 4| in position to be engaged by the upper end 42 thereof.

In the normal position the valve is closed so that no air is admitted to the ports and 58 and communicating passages I5 and 16, the valve head 63 being against the seat 62. However, the ports 6| are not closed so that air is present in the valve chest 55. It will also be noted that the rear end of the plunger 54 is spaced away from the plate 69.

The first movement of the trigger 4| shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 will cause the end 42 to engage the end of the plunger 54. If the trigger 4| is compressed slightly or to the point where the end 42 contacts with the forward end of the nut 36, the valve head 63 will be moved from off its seat 62 a short distance, to admit a supply of air to the ports 58 and communicating passage 16, for the purpose to be hereinafter described. This may be termed the first operative position of the air Valve, and the regulating nut a stop for determining the amount of movement of the plunger for its first position. It may be pointed out that this movement is not sufiicient to .carry the rear end of the plunger 54 into engagement with the plate 69.

The second operative position of the air valve is illustrated in Fig. 4. By comparison with Fig. 3, it will be noted that the trigger 4| has been moved so as to move the plunger 54 further to the rear to establish direct communication be tween the ports 6| and 58 so that a full supply of air under pressure is admitted to the passage i6. This movement has also carried with it the regulating nut 36, and carried the rear end of the plunger 54 into contact with the plate 69. Thus the plate 69 may be termed the stop for determining the position of the parts for the second operative position of the air valve.

The third operative position is illustrated in Fig. 5. In this position, it will be noted that the rear end of the plunger 54 has entered the plug 81 and caused the plate 69 to compress the spring II. In this position, the channel 64 has established a path of communication between the chest 55 and the ports 51 and communicating passage '55, whereby air is admitted to the passage I5. The passage 16 also has air supplied thereto in this position.

The purposes of these positions in the operation of the gun will be explained hereinafter.

Fluid valve The fluid valve comprises a body portion 8| that is cylindrical and hollow. The rear portion is screw threaded as indicated at 82. The forward portion is tapered and comprises two sections 83 and 84 between which is an annular channel. The section 83 is provided with a pair of transverse grooves 85 communicating with the channel and with the exterior. Beyond the tapered portion 83 is a nozzle 86 that is of reduced diameter.

The interior of the tapered portion 83 comprises a seat for a tapered portion 81 of a valve stem 88. Extending forwardly of the taper 8'! is a needle 89 of a diameter smaller than that of the valve stem and also smaller than the diameter of the nozzle into which it projects. Mounted fast upon the valve stem is a stop 9| against which a packing ring 92 abuts, the packing being held in place by an abutment ring 93, this arrangement being intended to fit snugly against the interior wall of the body portion 8| to prevent leakage therefrom. The valve stem is spring pressed for wardly into its closed position by means of spring 94 which abuts against ring 93 and also against the interior of a hollow closing cap 95. This particular arrangement also provides a means of continually taking up the wear of the packing since the spring pressure on the loosely mounted ring has a tendency to spread the packing against the inner wall of the valve chamber. 95 is screw threaded internally to cooperate with the screw threaded portion 82 of the valve body 8|. The valve stem 88 extends through an aperture in the cap 95 and is screw threaded at its outer end as indicated at 96.

Affixed to the body portion 8| of the valve and at right angles thereto, is the nipple 28 referred to above as being intended to receive the connecting junction of the hose 3| leading to the material supply tank 32.

Distributor assembly Fitting into the front face of the body member 2| is a guiding member WI. The rear portion of the guiding member |0| is screw threaded as indicated at I92 to cooperate with screw threads in the body portion. The forward portion has an internal taper and an external taper extending from a shoulder I93 that is adapted to abut against the forward face of the body portion of the holder 2|.

The internal taper is adapted to cooperate with the tapered portions 83 and 84 of the valve body to guide the fluid valve 8| into position. In this position the channel between 83 and 84 registers with the diagonal aperture I94 in the guide IN. The aperture communicates with the channel I95 that is formed between the guiding member IilI and the body portion 2| just in rear of the abutting shoulder I93 and just forward of the screw threaded portion M2. The channel I95 communicates with the passage I9 through the port I96. Hence air will be admitted to the channel I95, aperture I94, the channel between the members 83 and 84 and through the grooves 35 for purposes to presently appear.

The external taper constitutes a guide for the distributing cap I9! which at its center has an internal taper so proportioned that the end of the guiding member |9I is spaced from the outer edge of the distributing cap I91 so as to form a chamber I98 into which the air is admitted through the grooves 85.

The cap It will be noted that the face of the distributing cap I08 has an aperture therein into which projects the nozzle 86 of the fluid valve 21, but the parts are so proportioned and arranged that the nozzle does not project beyond the distributing cap I01 and. is concentric with but spaced from the distributing cap aperture.

Referring to Figs. 9, 10 and 11, it will be noted that the distributing cap I! is provided at its rear face with a semi-circular groove II I, which groove has communicating therewith at its ends a pair of passages H2 which terminate in enlarged openings H3, one for each passage. The openings I I3 are of larger area than the connecting passages H2. The passages H2 and openings H3 are arranged in projections I09 of the cap I01 that terminate in inclined faces H0 through which the openings H3 are made. The faces H0 and openings H3 are respectively arranged at intersecting angles. 7 V

Backed upon the cap I0! is a plate II4 which has a central aperture coinciding with the taper of the aperture of the cap II". The plate H4 may be secured to the cap ID! by screws H5 as shown in Fig. 11, or by any other well known means or may be separate therefrom. The plate I I4 is provided with an aperture H6 which communicates with the groove III at the center of the arc of the groove. If the groove II I is of any othervconfiguration the aperture H6 would be located equi-distant from the passages II 2..

The cap I0! is provided with an annular flange H! which cooperates with the. flange H8 of a screw threaded retaining ring I I9 that is adapted to screw upon the front end of the body portion 2| From Fig. 3 it will be noted that the retaining ring draws the cap I0! and its plate H4 on to the guiding member IOI and that an air space I22 is left between the faces of the holder 2I and the plate H4. The passageway I5 communicates directly with the space I22 to admit air thereto whenever the air valve 25 is in the position indicated in Fig. 5. Then the air will proceed from the space I22 through the aperture H6 into the groove II I, and through the passages H2 and openings H3 to the work.

The object of locating the hole I I6 in the center of the arc of the groove I II or an equal distance from the diametrically oppositelyspaced passages H2 is to insure an equal distribution of the air to the two openings H3.

Connecting link and regulator A linkage is provided between the trigger M and the fluid valve 21 which permits the trigger 4i to simultaneously actuate the fluid valve and the air valve. This linkage is combined with a regulator for governing the amount of liquid ejected from the fluid valve 21 for the several different positions of the trigger.

This linkage comprises connecting shaft 34, nut 35, and regulating'nut 36. The nut 35 is screw threaded and adapted to engage the screw threaded portion 96 0f the fluidvalve stem 88. Nut 35 is provided. with a flangedportion I21 adapted to retain inside thereof the flanged head I28 of the shaft 34.-- Asshown in Fig. 13, the shaft 34 is divided into two halves that are spaced apart to receive the end 42 of the trigger M which projects therebetween and the end of the stem 54 of the air valve. The ends of the split shaft 34 are screw threaded and are adapted to receive the screw threaded regulating nut 36. The nut 36 is hollow and adapted to be guided upon the projecting end of the air valve 53 as the same moves back and forth.

When the connecting link is secured to the stem 88 of the fluid valve, the nut 35 is screwed until the end SB-contacts with the head I28 of the shaft 34. It will be noted that the projecting end of the trigger 4| not only engages the stem 54 of the. air valve but also engages the regulatingnut 36 so that the same can be moved rearwardly as the trigger is moved. Thus, the pressure on the regulating nut is transmitted to the shaft 34, the nut 35 and the valve stem 88 to open and close the fluid valve simultaneously with the opening and closing of the air valve. It will therefore be apparent that by causing the nut 36 to take up different positions on the shaft 34, the time of engagement with and therefore the amount of movement by the trigger will determine the amount of movementofthe. valve stem*88 from its seat 81 which will in turn govern the amount of. fluid ejected from the nozzle 86.

There is one other regulating feature illustrated in Fig. 6, wherein are shown the passages I5 and I6 and the connections I3 and I4 thereto from the chamber 55 of the air valve. At times it is desired to regulate air pressure on the fan or wide spray and thereby regulate that spray. This can be accomplished by an adjustment of the plug I 3I in the screw threaded portion I32 of the passage I5. As will be apparent from Fig. 6, the plug I3I may be moved so as to restrict the opening I3 leading from the chamber- .55 into the passage I5 and thus regulate the amount of air admitted to passage 15 which communicates with the openings H3.

Operation Figs. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate the respective positions of the parts of my gun, I

It is important to note that in the first position of the trigger 4I, illustrated in Fig. 3 in dotted lines and referred to in describing the operation of the air valve where a quantity of air is admitted to the passage I6 and is ejected from the opening about the nozzle 86, there is no movement of the fluid valve because the purpose of this preliminary jet of air is to permit the operator to blow away dust and accumulations on the article to be painted. Hence, Fig. 3 illustrates in full lines the fluid valve as closed and with the spring '94 pressing the stem 88 forward against the tapered seat 81, and spring 66 pressing valve head 63 against its seat 62.

When the trigger has been moved to its second operative position illustrated in Fig. 4, a full flow of air is admitted to the passage Way 16 from the chest 55 through the ports 58. From passage I6 air is admitted to channel I05, andthrough passage I04, communicating channel and grooves 85 to the chamber I08 and outlet'aperture surrounding the nozzle 86; The trigger has moved the regulating nut and connecting link 34 rearwardly so as to remove the valve stem 88 from its seat 81. The material being under pressure, will be ejected in a circular or cone shaped stream about the needle 89. By this arrangement the material is ejected through the nozzle and the air is ejected from an annular passage surround ing the material jet, thus commingling with the material to atomize it and eject it with sulflcient force for the purposes for which the gun is intended. This'arrangement forms what is termed the cone or narrow spray.

In Fig. 5 is shown the third position in which the trigger has moved further to the rear. This has moved the air valve to' a point where air is admitted to both the passages I and "I6. Air is admitted to passage 55 from the chest 55 through channel 64 on the stem 54, and passage I3. From passage I5 air passes directly to chamber I22 and through aperture H6, groove III and passages M2 to outlet openings II3.

In this position the stem 88 has been moved further so that the maximum amount of material is being ejected through the fluid valve and formed into a cone spray as explained in Fig. 4. However, by reason of the arrangement of intersecting jets of air from the openings I I3, the normal cone shaped spray is diffused when the intersecting jets meet changing the shape of the spray to a wide, flat, fan-shaped spray.

The size of the flat spray may be controlled by adjusting the regulating nut I3I.

The openings H3 are larger than communicating passages H2. By creating a sudden drop in pressure at the openings H3 two important results are obtained, first, the jets of air are broadened so as to provide a broader resultant spray, and second, the lowered pressure eliminates the vortex of material that would otherwise have a tendency to build up on the face of the cap and either obstruct the spray passages or result in the distortion of the spray.

It will be apparent .that an operator can, at will, select the use of a narrow spray (Fig. 4) and a wide spray (Fig. 5) by simply releasing and compressing the trigger into the positions shown in Figs. 4. and 5 respectively. This is brought about not only by the arrangement or the air valve and fluid valve in axial alignment, but also by the arrangement of the connecting link so that a single operation of the trigger actuates both valves. Likewise, an operator can select between an air jet only and a material jet by An important feature of my improved gun is the ready removability of the fluid valve and the air valve from the holder 2 I.

It will be noted that the body portion ZI is provided with a hood 3! which is open at its bottom and has an enlarged portion I34 that communicates with the main slot I35. The slot I35 more or less snugly fits the rounded body 8! of the fluid valve and substantially covers the same except for the downwardly projecting nipple 28. From Fig. 3 it will be noted that the enlarged portion P34 is provided with a flange I36 which is semi-circular and adapted to receive the flange it? of the cap nut 95.

Assuming that the parts are in the position shown in either Figs. 3, 4 or 5, the fluid valve would be removed as follows:

Unloosen the nut 35 from the screw threaded portion 96 of the valve stem 88, and also unloosen the nut Q5 from close engagement with the flange Hit. The fluid valve is then readily taken out of the holder ZI Without removing the same from its connection with the hose 3| to which it may be connected and without disturbing any portion of the distributor assembly.

A new fluid valve 27! aflixed to its hose 3| may be promptly inserted in the slot I35 of the hood 3!] with the flange E3? of its nut 95 positioned in the groove formed by the flange I36 and the tapered portion of the fluid valve projecting into the distributor assembly, The nut 35 is then screwed into place. After this operation, the fluid valve may then be forced forwardly and affixed securely in position in the holder by tightening the nut 95 so as to bring the flange I37 into engagement with the flange I36.

By tightening the nut 35, the tip 89 of the stem 88 of the fluid valve is forced more firmly into its forward position. By tightening the cap nut 95, the fluid valve is forced forwardly into the guiding member IOI so as to properly position the nozzle of the fluid valve in its concentric relation with the center hole of the distributor cap and bring the grooves 85 into proper position. a

When the guiding member and the distributor cap I0! are positioned in concentric relation with the nozzle of the fluid valve the proper arrangement of air jet is provided and the retaining ring will maintain the parts in that position.

By the arrangement of the nozzle extending into the distributor cap and the arrangement for distributing the air in the several jets, the material is carried away from the face of the cap and not permitted to build up thereon. Hence, since all the parts that come in contact with the material are removed when the fluid valve is removed it is practical, with my improved gun, to continue to reuse the guiding member IUI, distributor cap I 01 and retaining ring H9 even with changes of colors or changes of mate'- rials.

The air valve is removed by merely unscrewing the same from the holder 2|.

By the arrangement of a cartridge type of air valve, one air valve may be removed and replaced by another cartridge valve in the event of the breakage of a spring or the clogging of the passages, so as to interfere with the operation of the gun.

Certain features of the structure disclosed herein are not intended tobe covered by the appended claims, but are described and claimed in' my copending application Ser. No. 310,418, filed concurrently herewith, especially the air valve shown and described herein.

Modifications may be made in the arrangement and location of parts within the spirit and scope of my invention, and such modifications are in,- tended to be covered by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A gun of the character described comprising a body portion, a movable trigger mounted for movement forwardly and rearwardly, a .connection from the gun to a source of material supply, a connection from the gun to a source of. air under pressure, means whereby a jet of air free from material may be projected from said gun, means whereby a narrow jet of material may be projected from said gun, means whereby a wide jet of material may be projected from said gun, and connections whereby an operator may select either jet by rearward movement ofsaid trigger.

2. A gun of the character described comprising a body portion, a distributor thereon, a movable member mounted for movement forwardly and rearwardly, a connection from the gun to a source of material supply, means whereby a round jet of material may be projected from spaced relation, and a guidingmember having the gun to a source of air under pressure, means whereby a jet of air free from material may be projected from said gun at will, means whereby jets of material of varying sizes may be delivered from said gun, and a control member for said means operable so that, an, operator may vary the size of the jet of material, at will and select between air and material jets at will, the control member being mounted for movement in one nlane' ly- 4. A gun of the character described comprising a body portion, a connection from the gun to a source of material supply, a valve controlled connection fromv the gun to a source of air under pressure, means whereby a variety of jets of material may be projected successively from said gun, means whereby'a jet of air free from material may be projected from said. gun, a spring normally urgingthe air valve closed, and a control member acting against said spring whereby an operator may select between the air and any of the; plurality of material jets at will.

5;. A gun of the character described comprising a body, portion, a connection from the gun toa source of materlalfsupply, an air valve, connections therefrom whereby either a round jet or a fiat jet of material. may be projected from said gun, and a controlmember to actuate said air valve and also to select between said jets at; will, the control member being mounted for movement in one direction for both operations.

6. A gun or the character described comprising a body'portion, connections from the gun to a sourceofmaterial supply and to a source of air under pressure, means including a valve whereby jets of material of difierent contours may be successively projected from said gun, andza control member mounted for movement in one direction only to. actuate said valve whereby. an operator may select: between saidjets atiwill.

7. A gun of the character described comprising abody portion; a liquid valve having a body, a guiding portion thereon, and a nozzle; and a distributor assembly comprising a member having. an aperture adapted to receivesaidnozzle in a screw-threaded.connectionwith said-body portion and positioning the valve with respect to-the distributor so as to provide an enlarged chamber in back of thedistributor, and means connecting the same with the space about said nozzle.

8. A- gun of the character described comprising a body portion; a liquidvalve having a body,

a guide thereon, and a nozzle; and a'distributor.

assembly comprising a member having an aperture adapted to receive said nozzle in spaced relation, and a member having a screw-threaded connection with said body portion and cooperating with said guide to position the valve body and also to guide and position the distributor.

member inspaced relation to the valvebody to form air chambers about said nozzle and in back of said' distributor.

9. Aqgunof the character described comprising a-bodyportion; aliquid valve having a body, aguide thereon, and a. nozzle; a connection from said gunto a source of air supply; a distributor assembly comprising. a. member having an aperture, a. member adapted.to-cooperate with said guide-to position said nozzle within said aperture but spaced therefrom, andalsoadapted to position the distributormember to form a plurality of, enlarged chambers, and additional apertures insaid distributor membenarranged at intersecting angles and means for supplying air to the apertures in the distributor member.

10. Agun of the character described comprising a body portion; a liquid valve having a body, a guide thereon, and a nozzle; a connection from said gun to a source of air supply; a distributor assembly comprising a member having an aperture, a member adapted to cooperate with said guide to position said nozzle within said aperture but spaced therefrom, andalso adapted to position and space the distributor member so as to form a chamber in back of said distributor member closed from said aperture, and additional apertures in said distributor member arranged at intersecting angles and in communication with said chamber; and means for selectively supplying air to the apertures in the distributor member.

11. In a gun of the character described, a body portion, an air valve having an air chest, communications therefrom to a source of air under pressure, valve closing means, a spring normally urging the valve to closed position, a plurality of sets of ports in communication with said air chest through said closing means, communications from said ports to separated outlet openings in said body portion, and means mounted on said body portion for actuating said valve against the action of said spring and also adapted to selectively admit air to thecommunications to said outlet openings.

12. In a spraying device, a spray head adapted to be connected with a source of supply for liquid and with a source of supply for air under pressure, having a main air outlet arranged to cause a jet of atomized liquid to be discharged from said spray head and also having auxiliary air outlets arranged to control the shape of said jet of atomized liquid, a single distributing valve to selectively control the flow of air to said main outlet and said auxiliary outlets, a'spring urging the valve to position to shut off the air supply, and means acting against the spring for adjusting said distributing valve.

13. Ina spraying device, a supportingstructure, a spray head carried by said structure, adapted to be connected with a source of supply for liquid and with a source of supply for air under pressure and having an outlet for liquid and an outlet for air arranged to cause a jet of atomized liquid to be discharged from said spray head, said spray head alsohaving auxiliary air outlets to control the shape of said jet of atomized-liquid, a valve to control the flow of liquid through said liquid outlet, separate conduits leading from the respective air outlets to the rear end of said supporting structure, a valve arranged at the rear end of said supporting structure to selectively control the flow of air through said conduits and also to shut 01f all air to the air outlets, and an actuating device connected with both of said valves, and movable rearwardly for operating said valves and for selectively controlling the flow of air through said conduits.

14. In a spraying device, a spray head adapted to be connected with a source of supply for liquid and with a source of supply for air under pressure, having a main air outlet arranged to cause a jet of atomized liquid to be discharged from said spray head and also having auxiliary air outlets arranged to control the shape of said jet of liquid, means for selectively controlling said main air outlet and saidauxiliary air outlets, a single actuating device for said controlling means which is operable to causeair-from said source of supply to. be delivered either to. said main air outlet alone or to said main air outlet and said auxiliary air outlets, and a mounting for the actuating device permitting the same to move rearwardly and forwardly only in eifecting said operations.

15. A gun of the character described comprising a body portion, a connection from the gun to a source of material supply, a connection from the gun to air under pressure, a movable trigger, a pair of stops cooperating with the movable trigger, and means whereby when the trigger is moved into engagement with one of said stops 2. round spray of material is projected from said gun and whereby when the trigger is moved into engagement with the other of said stops a flat spray of material is projected from said gun, said stops being so arranged that the operator can instantly change from the round spray to the fiat spray without interrupting the operation of the gun.

16. A gun of the character described comprising a body portion, a connection from the gun to a source of material supply, means whereby jets of material of varying form may be de1ivered from said gun, and a control member for said means whereby an operator may control the operation of said gun and also vary the form of the jet of material at will, said control member operating in one plane only.

1'7. Apparatus for spraying liquids or other material, having a spraying head at which occurs, alternatively, round and fan shaped sprays, a control valve coacting with a seating in the spraying head for the material to be sprayed, a frame member carrying the spraying head and having a hand grip, a trigger movable towards the hand grip for opening the material control valve, an air feed conduit for delivering air to the spraying head for producing a round spray, an air valve controlling the flow of air through such latter conduit, an air feed conduit for delivering air to the spraying head for effecting a fan shaped spray, an air valve for controlling the flow of air through such latter conduit, and means whereby the said trigger successively opens the said air valves as it is moved towards the hand grip, so that the first mentioned air valve is first opened during the initial movement of the trigger towards the hand grip, and so that on the continued movement of the trigger in the same direction the second mentioned valve is opened.

ALFRED W. SMART.

fit 

